Beyond the Gates

Chapter 15: Chasing the Shadows

Author's POV

The casino hummed with noise and flashing lights, but amidst the crowd, Porsche, Ken, and Pete had eyes only for the shadows. Disguised as casual customers, they moved through the space, their gazes sharp and quick as they scanned the room for anything—or anyone—that seemed out of place. Though Porsche and Ken were hardly each other’s favorite company, they kept their focus professional, setting aside their mutual irritation for the task at hand. The place was packed, and the faces all seemed neutral, but that was exactly what made this job frustrating. Anyone could be a threat, and their task was to find the ones who didn’t belong.

Pete’s voice came through their earpieces, his tone calm yet laced with curiosity. “Anything suspicious?”

“Nothing yet,” Porsche muttered, narrowing his gaze on a group of men in sleek suits, who seemed engrossed in their game. He exchanged a look with Ken, who shrugged and whispered, “Keep moving.”

After a while, still finding nothing, they regrouped near one of the casino’s pillars. "Nothing here," Pete muttered, glancing between Porsche and Ken. Porsche pulled out his phone to inform Big, who replied over the call, "Fine. Secure every exit; Kinn and Vegas will be there in ten minutes." With a nod to each other, the three dispersed to lock down each door, ensuring no one could slip away once their bosses arrived.

A heavy presence settled over the casino as Kinn and Vegas strode in, flanked by their bodyguards—Big, Pol, Nop, and one other from Vegas’s side—arrive. Kinn and Vegas headed straight for the office, while Big and Nop took guard outside the door. Pol and the guard joined Porsche and Ken at their posts.

A few quiet minutes passed, filled only by the constant hum of casino sounds, until Kinn and Vegas emerged. They barely acknowledged their bodyguards as they started moving towards the exit.

Just then, Pete’s voice cut through the earpiece. "Heads up! Someone's coming our way." Porsche glanced toward the man—a lean figure in dark attire, eyes scanning the surroundings too intently.

Pol and Pete approached him, blocking his path. Pete’s hand reached out to frisk the man, but just then, a smoke bomb burst nearby. The smoke bomb erupted, causing instant chaos as people started to cough and scatter. The suspect slipped out of Pete and Pol’s grip and dashed through the crowd.

“Move!” Kinn ordered, already sprinting forward as he led the chase through the smoky haze. Vegas barked a command into his earpiece, directing his guards to find whoever had thrown the smoke bomb. The entire team—Kinn, Vegas, Porsche, Big, Pol, Pete, and Ken—charged after the escaping figure, pushing through the crowd until they burst outside.

They charged out of the casino just in time to see the guy hop into a getaway car. Without a moment’s hesitation, Porsche and Vegas jumped onto Vegas's bike, with Vegas taking the lead on the throttle. Ken and Pete took off on another bike, while Kinn, Big, and Pol followed closely in a car. The high-stakes pursuit began, weaving through the city’s streets, a blur of headlights and roaring engines.

Inside the car, one of the suspects leaned out and opened fire. Bullets pinged against the pavement, forcing Vegas and Ken to swerve wildly. One shot struck the tire on Ken and Pete’s bike, sending them skidding out of control and crashing to the ground. Porsche looked back, alarmed, but Vegas kept a firm grip, his jaw set.

“Vegas, this is crazy!” Porsche shouted over the wind as Vegas expertly maneuvered around the gunfire.

“Hold on!” he shouted back, his voice filled with a strange thrill. Vegas quickly veered off the main road, cutting through a narrow side street. “Where the hell are you going?” Porsche demanded, glancing back at their pursuers.